Democrats show support at JFK Dinner

Monday

Apr 28, 2014 at 3:00 PM

Area Democrats gathered at the Rawlings Museum and Heritage Center in Las Animas on Saturday night to show their support for the party.

Bette McFarrenbmcfarren@ljtdmail.com

Area Democrats gathered at the Rawlings Museum and Heritage Center in Las Animas on Saturday night to show their support for the party. Bent County Commissioner Bill Long was master of ceremonies for the occasion with John Stulp, special policy adviser to the governor for water and chair of the Interbasin Compact Committee as principal speaker.

Candidates Representative Leroy Garcia, Senate District 3 and Vic Myers, Congressional District 4, were not present; Myers, however, was represented by T.J. Hestand, candidate for House District 47. Lucretia Robinson, candidate for House District 47, also spoke. Stulp put in some good words for Garcia in his speech.

Both Long and Stulp emphasized the importance of this off-year election. They both urged no complacency and talking to friends and neighbors about the election, as well as working hard to get out the vote. U.S. Senator Mark Udall is facing a tough fight with Republican Cory Gardner, said Stulp, especially since out-of-state sources are pouring money into ads to denigrate Udall, in order to capture the U.S. Senate. Stulp pointed out Udall's work on renewable energy, bipartisan cooperation, the Arkansas Valley Conduit, immigration reform and women's rights. "He is always there as a voice for sanity," said Stulp.

John Hickenlooper also faces a fight for his second term as governor, said Stulp. Hickenlooper has been an outstanding leader for economic recovery, having once been out of a job himself. It was losing his job as a geologist that led him to form his own micro-brewery and restaurant business, promoting beer to the point of competing with beef as Colorado's leading industry. Hickenlooper, Long and the Bent County Commissioners all worked together to repurpose Fort Lyon. Colorado's unemployment rate is now between 6.1 and 6.2 percent, said Stulp, one of the lowest in the nation.

"It is water that ties us all together," said Stulp. We can no longer afford to take water away from agriculture. We have to work together to plan for the five to 10 million increase in population over the next 20 years. Colorado is a good place to live, and we must plan for the increase of our children and grandchildren as well as for newcomers. Thus the Colorado Water Plan. His final word, "Just follow Bill Long's lead."

Jay Scott asked Stulp about possibilities of hemp as a commercial crop in Colorado. Stulp said licensure was open for experimental and commercial crops until May 1. Overall, legalization of marijuana has brought many problems with regulation and not quite as much revenue as expected. The governor opposed Amendment 64, but since 55 percent of the people voted for it, he is working with it.

Candidate Terrance J. Hestand spoke for Candidate Vic Myers, who was told he didn't have a chance as a Democrat in Gardner's old District 4, but believes he can win. "Betsy Markey held that seat," Hestand quoted Myers.

Pueblo's Lucretia Robinson, a veteran of 24 years working for the Department of Corrections, is seeking Colorado House District 47 seat now held by Clarice Navarro. She was born in Oakland, Calif., but is a Coloradan through and through, with seven grandchildren. She is behind John Hickenlooper, who was with the DOC during the bad times following the assassination of the state director.

Hestand also spoke for his own candidacy for House District 47. Hestand, who spent his first 15 years in small towns in Texas, graduated from La Junta High School in 2002 and Otero Junior College in 2006. He has done volunteer work with the Girl Scouts, plays in the Smile-Hi Community Band, is interested in water issues, proficiency in reading and economic development. Hestand feels that one voice can change a room, a town, the state house, the state, and eventually the nation. He hopes to attend law school.

The evening's banquet was catered by Java Jackie's: the entree a great barbecued brisket. The evening was a successful fundraiser, according to the ladies checking people out with silent auction items.

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